Seeking Advice from Any Women Who Has Had Mirena (IUC) Birth Control Done.

Hi C.,

I had Mirena in for five years. I would NOT recommend it. I do not want to scare you of it, but my experience does not seem to be unique. I have found atleast two other women who I know personally who have had similar experiences like mine.

The first year or two was fine. I was one of the smaller percentages who did not have any period at all with Mirena. During the third year my stomach would start to really bloat for a week or so and then go back to normal.

I started getting edgy and crabby and really, really tired. I could not do anything. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. My doctor had said that it all had to be a coincidence and Mirena could not cause what I described. She said I must be depressed and prescribed an antidepressant which instead intensified my feelings. She changed the medication. I did not take the new pill. THis went on for about five months and then I had a period. After my period, I was my old self again.

Since I was fine again, against my best judgement, I left Mirena in. When I started having a repeat of the fatigue and nerve tingling feelings, I had it removed. Once removed all my symptoms disappeared and I was myself again.

My doctor still maintains that Mirena could not have been at fault, but I do not believe it. Imagine my surprise and relief when I talked to another mom who said she felt all the same symptoms while on Mirena, especially feeling like you were going to jump out of your skin. And since then, another mom has said the same.

The convenience of Mirena seems great. That I miss, adapting back to the pill has not been great for me. But how I felt with Mirena was not only intolerable to me, but to my poor kids and husband who had no clue what was wrong with me.

You sound like you have your hands full with your beautiful family. Personally, even though the doctors say it is safe, if I were you I would not take a chance on this medication because a little convenience might turn into a big problem.

Good luck..

C.

Hi C.,
I see all of your responses have been positive. You may want to search back a bit in the "requests/responses" from a few months ago, there were quite a few posts regarding the Mirena (pros/cons). Unfortunately, I was hoping to be a textbook case where I would be birth control free and period free...but I had a terrible time with it. I had almost nonstop bleeding for 1 year, 3 uterine infections, and painful intercourse intermittently. I was really bummed about it because I was hoping for the best and paid out of pocket for it. My husband and I decide to have it removed (after 1 1/2 years)because of the constant bleeding and infections....and I just never felt right after it was placed. I know I'm not the norm...but weird things have happened to others like punctured uterus, pregnancy, migrating to where it shouldn't be...etc. Any way...I had it taken out...felt great the next day, concieved our daughter the next month! Best wishes! Hopefully you will be a textbook patient.

I JUST had my Mirena put in 2 weeks ago. SO far so good. I LOVE it already. It was pretty painful when getting it put in, but my pain tolerance is pretty low. Other than that, a few days of cramping. I am still spotting but cannot complain. It feels like nothing is there. Good luck and i would HIGHLY recommend it!!

Hi C.,
I am a Labor and Delivery nurse, and I myself have the Mirena. i know some people who have had problems, but most of all, it is terrific- I had no side affects, didnt get a period for almost a year, and now, only occasionally!! I love it!!! and highly recommend it to everyone!! Good Luck!!!

I've had mine in for almost a year. I love it and would recommend it! My experience was textbook...a bit of cramping for a few days...very light to no periods and I feel great!
The great thing about it is...you can take it out whenever you want. Good luck.

Hi, C.! Everyone's body is different and will react different to various birth control forms. That being said, I've had my Mirena in for a year and LOVE IT! Like one of the other posters, my experience has been textbook-just some mild cramping at first and then a tapering off of the periods to having no period. Oh the money I've saved not having to buy tampons and pads every month! :-)

But, I have heard/read of ladies who have had the exact opposite experience, too. My OB/GYN's nurse said she bled for too long on the Mirena and had it taken out. So read all of the info your doctor gave you and do your research.

Good luck!

L.

I am currently using Mirena and it has been fantastic. I have had it for about 9 months now, about 2 months after my son was born. It was expensive because our insurance didn't cover it, but when I calculated the cost of bcp co-pays, it came out cheaper over the 5 years of effectiveness. It was only mildly uncomfortable to have it put in (like a little pinch that was over right away), with mild cramping that day and spotting for the next few days. Since then, I haven't had any periods at all, although that could be due in part to the fact that I'm still nursing.

When I went back for the follow-up visit, I did ask them to trim the wire a little bit, because my husband said he could feel it during intercourse. (There is a little string/wire thingy so that the doctor can remove it). That wasn't a big deal either.

My only issue with it is that we're thinking of having a 4th and final child, so we would have to have it removed early, which is a waste of money. But I guess that's more my issue than an issue with Mirena! LOL.